Inducing granulation tissue in third-degree skin burns using topical Hamelia patens extract

Abstract

Methods are provided for inducing granulation tissue on chronic third-degree post-escharotomy burn wounds present on the skin of a mammalian subject, which includes human subjects. A method according to the disclosure comprises contacting a third-degree burn wound with an extract of Hamelia patens, in combination with a dermatologically-acceptable carrier. Methods according to the disclosure are applicable to chemically-induced, electrically-induced, and thermally-induced third-degree burn wounds on skin.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for inducing formation of visible granulation tissue on a third-degree burn wound on the skin of a human subject, said method comprising:
 a) providing a topical composition containing  Hamelia patens  extract in combination with a dermatologically-acceptable carrier; and 
 b) contacting said composition topically to said third-degree burn wound in an effective amount and frequency of application for inducing the formation of visible granulation tissue, 
 wherein new granulation tissue is visually observable in non-peripheral areas of said third-degree burn within 72 hours of initial application of said  Hamelia patens  extract to said wound. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said granulation tissue comprises multiple islands of granulation tissue. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said  Hamelia patens  extract comprises an extract made from only the leaves of the  Hamelia patens  plant. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said topical composition is applied to said third-degree burn at any frequency selected from the group consisting of: once daily, twice daily, three times daily and four times daily. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said dermatologically-acceptable carrier is in any form selected from the group consisting of: a salve, a cream, an ointment, a gel, and a lotion. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said dermatologically-acceptable carrier comprises an emulsion. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said dermatologically-acceptable carrier comprises any material selected from the group consisting of: water; saline solution, any C1 to C4 alcohol; any glyceryl ester oil; and any mineral oil, including any combinations of any of the foregoing. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said topical composition comprises a nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of: solid core nanoparticles, hollow core nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, polyethylene glycol nanoparticles, and chitosan nanoparticles, and including any mixtures of any of the foregoing. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said topical composition comprises a liposome. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said extract is selected from the group consisting of: an aqueous extract of  Hamelia patens , a non-aqueous extract of  Hamelia patens , an alcoholic extract of  Hamelia patens , an aqueous-alcoholic extract of  Hamelia patens , and any mixtures of the foregoing. 
     
     
       11. A method for inducing granulation tissue on a human subject suffering from third-degree skin burn wounds, wherein said subject suffers third-degree burn wounds over a surface area amount greater than 5% of their body's skin surface, and wherein said third-degree burn wounds are post-escharotomy burn wounds, comprising topical application of a  Hamelia patens  extract present in a dermatologically-acceptable carrier to the affected areas on the subject at least once daily for any selected time period of between two days and eight weeks.